GoPro Labs adds more experimental features to its cameras
The company is also adding the Hero7 Black, Hero9 Black and Max to the sandbox.
GoPro Hero3
84
Engadget Review
GoPro's Hero3 Black Edition is the most capable action camera available today. It gives users higher resolution and higher frame rate options than the competition, but its battery life leaves much to be desired.
Pros
- High-quality, high-resolution video
- Small size
- Outstanding build quality
Cons
- Short battery life
- 4K video hamstrung by low frame rate
GoPro
Engadget
84
Critics
11 reviews85
AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE
Users
11 reviews84
AVERAGE USER SCORE
View All Critic & User Reviews
GoPro Hero3
- Critic Reviews (11)
- User Reviews (11)
- 85AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE11 ReviewsPC Mag80GoPro Hero3 Black EditionThe GoPro Hero3 Black Edition delivers outstanding video quality and features like 4K that you won't find anywhere else.Engadget80GoPro Hero3 Black Edition review: taking action caDespite its meager battery life and less-than-ergonomic shape, the Hero3 provides imaging performance superior to all of its competitors at a price that won't break the bank.Gizmodo70GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition Review: One Badass FixeIt's already the best action camera we've used, but there are too many software glitches right now to give it our highest rating. If those get fixed, this will be a must-buy. But even if they don't, you should still seriously consider it.CNET90GoPro Hero3 review: GoPro bets big on its Hero3 BlThe GoPro Hero3 Silver and White editions are strong contenders in the sports camera market, but the faster, more powerful Black Edition is head and shoulders the best sports camera on the market today.Pocket-Lint80GoPro HD Hero3 Black edition reviewFor what it does the HD Hero3 is a mini knockout, just like its predecessors were at the time of their respective releases. It's smaller, it's lighter, the optional touchscreen BacPac improves the user experience and the usual waterproof, rugged housing is an essential. All round it's just better.ConnectedReviews80GoPro Hero 3 Wi-Fi sports camcorder first-look revIf you're hell-bent on capturing video of yourself catching a perfect wave when you're surfing or parachuting out of an airplane, though, the Hero 3 may be well worth the price.TechRadar80GoPro HERO3: Black Edition reviewAn amazing and robust camera that can go all the places you can, and some places you can't. Better, faster, and now with higher-end video modes more suited to the pro market, it's a serious little piece of kit.Expert Reviews100GoPro Hero3 Black Edition reviewExcellent image quality and great apps make this a superb action camera, but we'd go for one of the cheaper models in the GoPro range.TrustedReviews90GoPro Hero3 Black Edition reviewIf you’re into extreme sports and are looking for a camcorder/still image camera that you can strap to your person to capture the action with, irrespective of whether it’s in the water or on dry land, then the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition is currently best option on the market.Stuff90GoPro Hero3 Black Edition hands-on reviewIt's expensive with the essential extras but genuinely offers a professional grade setup to make your antics YouTube gold. One for the real wannabe directors – casual video makers should look at the cut price Silver and White editions.USA Today90GoPro Hero3 camera is a small wonderWhile we didn't bring the Hero3 to the eye of the storm, or the usual action sports the camera is associated with, we got great, extraordinary results for street video that came alive with the wild point of view and crisp video results for which the Hero is known.
- 84AVERAGE USER SCORE11 ReviewsEngadget Reader70November 25, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!My use case with the GoPro was more of an insurance policy while riding my bike over looking to record for sharing videos, so my review may vary a bit. With that out of the way:I think the GoPro Hero3 is a very good camera that delivers pretty impressive image quality for something so small. Audio recording is about what you'd expect from a device this small with such a tiny mic. The included waterproof case is a nice bonus too! Battery life isn't ideal, somewhere around 90 minutes to two hours depending on settings, but it's not terrible either.My one gripe with the GoPro is the hardware that comes with it for mounting is pretty terrible. You don't have a lot of options and the screw caps are huge which can impede mounting options. Not to mention the plastic feels cheap and is pretty pliable when given enough force.If you do get one and need a mount I'd recommend looking into 3rd party options, at least for bikes. The K-Edge mount is way more money but it's a much better solution in the long run.Engadget Reader90September 23, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetHitnRunTony80August 27, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90July 26, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90July 26, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I loved my GoPro but I returned it since I don't have the time or hardware to devote to video editing.Engadget Reader80May 19, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader80May 1, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader80March 18, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I only have used this scuba diving. Overall I love this thing and it has been wonderful to share my time underwater with family and friends. California has murky, dark water and I was worried the camera wouldn't be able to cope with low light levels, but it has performed admirably. It sometimes has a greenish tinge but I have been very impressed with its performance both pointing at forwards as I swim and at macro distances underwater. I ended up buying a GoPole because none of the official mounting accessories satisfied my needs and my video has gotten much more stable. I have the camera zip-tied to a key chain retractor which I hang off of my BCD (diving vest). Because there are only scroll-down and select buttons, changing options can sometimes take more time than it should. The wi-fi feature seems underdeveloped- its only uses are for connecting to the GoPro app on phones/tablets and pairing with the wireless remote. Other features like wireless streaming of files would be nice to preview footage after a dive. It would be even cooler if I could upload to YouTube with this thing. But overall, the key features are outstanding. It's a great camera for sports where you normally can't safely take pictures.Engadget Reader100March 16, 2013Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader60December 8, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I initially loved the camera despite poor battery life (which can be managed with care). However, after three weeks of very light use the camera hangs/locks-up to the point of being unusable. I'm not sure whether it's a software issue or if vibration has cracked a solder joint or some other hardware defect. I have exchanged my original unit for a new one and will revisit the review if my experience improves over the coming weeks. I had high hopes for this product, but at this point I'd be reluctant to recommend it.Engadget Reader100December 8, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I bought the old GoPro and it was nice, but this blows it away. The only negative so far is the fact I cant use all of the new features until they push a new firmware update to this unit on 12/14.
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Key Specs
TYPE
Consumer
FORM FACTOR
Sports mount
MEDIA TYPE
Memory card
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